Why did you stop collecting Donations for Essentials for Sandy Relief Efforts?
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, there was an urgent need for basic essentials in acutely impacted areas because stores and other critical transportation modes serving these communities were unable to open/operate. In addition, roads were blocked by storm debris further cutting communities off from being able to restock or purchase these items on their own. Our goal was to use our unique position to deliver essentials in this immediate and urgent aftermath. While there is still an immense amount of need, our unique role has subsided as Sandy relief and donations now begin to shift towards immense and longer term efforts of restoration, cleaning up and rebuilding required to get these communities back on their feet.
We have been truly humbled by the generosity of our customers, vendors, staff, and the non-profit organizations with whom we joined forces to amplify our essentials relief efforts. We did not expect the level of demand for goods nor the significant amount of donations that we were able to put into immediate action to deliver essential goods where they were needed, fast, across many acutely impacted communities in NY, NJ, and CT. We could not have done it without you!
We can assure you that we continue to work with a few relief centers and non-profit organizations that still are requesting our help.

Why are we doing this?
This disaster is particularly close to our hearts. Our corporate office on the Hudson River in Jersey City was flooded and most of our employees on the East Coast were also affected. We want to do our part to help in the recovery by focusing on what we do best: delivering the things families need, where and when they need them.
We’ve recently heard from so many of our customers who wanted to help, so we created this program to work with nonprofit organizations and government agencies, and rapidly send essentials to the most acutely affected communities in NY, NJ and CT.

How are you working with nonprofits? And which ones?
We’re working exclusively with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations like the American Red Cross, and government agencies, serving Hurricane Sandy victims in need in NY, NJ and CT to ensure that the supplies you’re donating are exactly what’s needed, and get directly into the hands of the people who need them most. To learn more about the different organizations we are working with, please follow us on Twitter (@SandyFamilyHelp)

Are you making a profit on these contributions?
No. We are using your donation to supply the items to the recipient organizations “at cost,” meaning there’s no profit on our end, and your contribution will be maximized so that as many items as possible will be donated. If we receive more funds than requests for supplies, we will pass along your full donation in the form of cash to the recipient organizations.

Is my donation tax-deductible?
It may be. We’re effectively working as your agent to convert your cash donation into essential goods and to quickly and efficiently get these essentials to the families that need them. While we ourselves are not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, your donations are being made to qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and governmental entities. We recommend that you consult with an accountant to fully explore your potential tax benefits. If requested, we will provide you with the name of the recipient organization that received your Essentials donation. If your donation is $250 or more, we will share your name, credit card billing address, e-mail address and the date and amount of your contribution with the recipient charity to provide you with a receipt for your donation.

Terms and Conditions

Quidsi, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Quidsi”) have developed a program that will rapidly deliver essential items to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and governmental entities (“Recipient Organizations”) that are providing relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy and similar disasters (the “Program”). Quidsi does not endorse any Recipient Organization’s specific political, religious or other beliefs. By making a donation through the Program, you agree to the Terms and Conditions set forth herein, as may be amended from time to time, as well as by our Terms of Use, and Account Agreement, incorporated by reference herein and located on the bottom of the Websites.

When you make a donation for Hurricane Relief Essentials, you are agreeing to have Quidsi use the amount of your donation to compile and deliver Hurricane Relief Essentials (“Essentials”) at the cost to provide them to the Recipient Organization (including Quidsi’s inventory costs and shipping & handling). If we receive more funds than requests for supplies, you agree to allow Quidsi to donate the cash value of your donation directly to one of the Recipient Organizations at its sole discretion for relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy or similar disasters. You agree that Quidsi shall serve as your agent to determine, in its sole discretion, the exact items to be included in the Essentials, and the Recipient Organization that will receive these Essentials. While we will do our best to honor your selection of the type of Essentials, during these times of crisis, needs are constantly changing, so by donating, you agree to allow Quidsi to substitute, at its sole discretion, suitable Essentials that best meet the current demands of the Recipient Organizations. Quidsi, in its sole discretion, may suspend, cancel or modify all or any portion of this Program at any time with or without notice and without any liability, however, any donations made prior to such suspension, cancellation, or modification will be used to support a Recipient Organization providing relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy or similar disasters.

Your donation may be a tax-deductible contribution to the Recipient Organization. Please contact your tax advisor. If requested, we will provide you with the name of the Recipient Organization that received your Essentials donation. If your donation is $250 or more, Quidsi will share your name, credit card billing address, e-mail address and the date and amount of your contribution with the Recipient Organization so the organization can provide you with a receipt for your donation.

The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. The American Red Cross logo is a registered trademark owned by the American Red Cross. For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.